Pokéathlon is a new game feature introduced in Pokémon Heart Gold & Pokémon Soul Silver. In the west of the National Park in Johto is the Pokéathlon Dome. This Dome is where a whole new Pokémon contest stands. However, the Pokéathlon is much different to the contests of Hoenn & Sinnoh. The Pokéathlon provides a variety of different games and events for the Pokémon to take part in. You always enter with three Pokémon. There are 10 different activities in the Pokéathlon, but you don't necessarily decide on the ones you play. Instead, you select one out of five categories; Speed, Power, Skill, Stamina & Jump. From there, three activities are chosen based upon that. If you win the activity, you will get "Suron Points" which you can then exchange for prizes.

To enter in the Pokéathlon, you have to select three Pokémon. The Pokémon you select should reflect the option you chose. As such, the Pokémon have specific stats for each of the categories. You can improve these stats through shaking Apricorns, but the maximum stats do depend on the Pokémon that you are entering, so choose carefully.

For each event you play, you earn a variety of points. After the round of three, you get given the points you have earned, plus 100 points if you came in first. You can then spend these points on cards to keep your records or on a variety of special and rare items. These items change each day so always plan your arrival for the item you want. The items are as follows

The Hurdle Dash game is the first game that we were made aware of. This game is a race between your Pokémon and nine other Pokémon. It is a race in a straight line and it is controlled completely through the touch screen. Your three Pokémon are seen running on the top screen and are running essentially on their own. Your control is making your Pokémon jump the hurdles. This is done by simply tapping them on the DS's Touch Screen. The timing of the jump is crucial to build up speed as if you jump too early or too late, your Pokémon will collide with the hurdle. If you get the timing perfect however, your Pokémon will get a boost. You can see the upcoming obstacles on the top screen so you can be prepared for whatever Pokémon you need to make jump.

Even though you cannot see them, this is a race so you are against the clock and will have to try and claim all three of the top positions to obtain maximum points.

First Score to beat: 100.0Second Score to beat: 80.0

Lamp Jump

Categories: Skill, Jump

The Lamp Jump game is the second game that we were made aware of. This game makes full use out of the Touch Screen. The object of this game is to make your Pokémon bounce upwards by pulling the stylus down and then flicking it up. This sends your Pokémon flying. The task is to hit as many lights as possible to turn them off during the time limit. Like the other events, all three of your Pokémon are in this event at the same time so you can make good use out of this by potentially flicking them in opposite directions.

The angle and depth of the throw is quite crucial to this game as it is possible to get multiple lights at once, thus gaining more points. Once the time limit ends, your score will be tallied against the scores of the NPCs and the winner shall be determined.

First Score to beat: 350Second Score to beat: 500

Ring Drop

Categories: Power, Stamina

The Ring Drop game is another of the competitive games in Pokéathlon. Unlike the previous two events, this one has no focus on jumping but instead is similar to a sumo wrestling fight. One of your Pokémon is placed in a ring with three other Pokémon and you have to make sure they stay in the ring and knock Pokémon out of it at the same time. This is done by using the DS's stylus to flick your Pokémon into the other Pokémon. However, there are no walls in the ring so you have to make sure you only put a lot of power into the flick if you're going to collide with a Pokémon.

As you knock Pokémon out of the ring, other Pokémon will come in the ring until the time reaches 0. Once that happens, the Pokémon are ranked and the winner is determined by the amount of remaining Pokémon.

First Score to beat: 70Second Score to beat: 100

Snow Throw

Categories: Power, Skill

The Snow Throw game is a Pokémon adaptation of a fun winter activity. This event pits your three Pokémon against three other teams of three Pokémon. Here, you are in a classic snowball fight against the other Pokémon. To control it, you just have to flick the Snowballs from your Pokémon to the other Pokémon. As such, the angle of the flick needs to be precise if you are to hit the Pokémon you desire. The power of the flick determines the distance the snowball goes. For each hit, you will get a point

When a Pokémon is hit by a snowball, they are temporarily dazed and will be unable to move or to throw a Snowball. As such, you have to move your Pokémon when a snowball is incoming in order to prevent your opponents getting a hit. This means you have to be focused on what your opponent is doing as well as what you yourself are to do.

First Score to beat: 30 />
Second Score to beat: 55

Relay Run

Categories: Speed, Stamina

The Relay Run is essentially another race in a similar manner to the Hurdle Dash. However, this game has you control one Pokémon at a time on a race track. Controlling them by using the Touch Screen, you have to get the optimum speed and pass from Pokémon to Pokémon at a variety of points.

This can get tricky due to the fact that obstacles will sometimes come on the course and you'll have to quickly avoid them so you need to be completely alert in order to win the race.

First Score to beat: 12Second Score to beat: 16

Block Smash

Categories: Power, Stamina

The Block Smash activity requires your Pokémon to be strong and quick. You control one Pokémon at a time and you need to destroy the blocks in front of your Pokémon. This is also done on the Touch screen by tapping the blocks. It is best to get a good rhythm with this so that your Pokémon can get into the groove and hit the blocks successfully

Even though you're on your own, this is essentially a race to see who can destroy the blocks quicker and in higher amounts. As such, you need to plan the Pokémon you use strategically so you can win easier

First Score to beat: 80Second Score to beat: 130

Circle Push

Categories: Power, Speed

The Circle Push is essentially similar to a game of King of the Hill. There are a variety of circles on the field and you have to control all three of your Pokémon and get them into the circles to gain points. The winners are those that are in the circle the longest. However, it is not as easy as it seems

As you are controlling all three Pokémon, and have nine opponents on the field at once, you will have to think even more strategically and try to push your opponents out of the circle. The smaller circles give you the more points so be sure to aim for those.

First Score to beat: 40Second Score to beat: 60

Pennant Capture

Categories: Skill, Speed

The Pennant Capture game is a simple capture the flag game. Your three Pokémon take it in turns to go around the course and collect flags. This is done by flicking the stylus across the touch screen. There are obstacles you have to factor in and move around, as well as the opponent Pokémon.

You can only collect 9 flags at once. In addition to that, you can collide with the opponent's Pokémon and take their flags. Take your flags back to the start and you'll get your third Pokémon sent.

First Score to beat: 35Second Score to beat: 50

Disc Catch

Categories: Jump, Power

The Disc Catch game requires you to control all three of your Pokémon at all times. The task her is to have your Pokémon jump up and catch the saucers being shot over the field. The point of capture determines the amount of points earned from each catch. You control the movement of all three Pokémon using the Stylus and tap them in order to jump.

In order to make sure your Pokémon get the saucer, you will also have to knock your opponents off of the platform. This will temporarily remove them from play.

First Score to beat: 40Second Score to beat: 70

Goal Roll

Categories: Skill, Power

The Goal Roll is a three a-side four team soccer match. You control all three of your Pokémon at once and your task is to shoot balls into the other team's goals as well as prevent the other team from knocking a ball into yours. You control all three Pokéon with the touch screen and a hard flick of the stylus will cause the Pokémon to strongly hit the ball

Each goal results in +1 point to the scoring team and -1 point to the defending team. After a while, several balls start to come on the field at once. After a while, a big gold ball will come which counts for 2 points

First Score to beat: 3Second Score to beat: 9

Record Hall

Downstairs, in the Pokéathlon Dome, you will find a variety of record halls. The first of which is available immediately.

If you check the trophy cases in this area, you will be able to check each type of Pokéathlon Contest and you can check each one to see your high score for each of the Pokéathlon contest categories. It will show you if you have received the medal for beating the main score or getting a crown for beating the all star high score.

Individual Pokémon

After you have received a medal in each of the Pokéathlon contests, the second room opens up. This room contains indidvidual statistics for each of your Pokémon, showing their medals. Once they have received medals in each of the 5 categories, they will receive a special Pokéathlon tag and a crown. If you get 10 Pokémon with the ribbons, you'll get more bonus Pokéathlon points.

Individual Events

Next, when you have obtained all event medals of an individual Pokémon, the third room shall open. This room has a computer in the middle which allows you to check the Top 5 scores for each Pokéathlon event. These are the scores mentioned above and help you work out what you need to do on each of the events. The events you have not got a high score on yet are uncoloured and if you have beaten both scores, a crown is included above it

Hall of Fame

Finally, when you have obtained a high score in each of the events, you will have access to the fourth and final room which contains gold statues of you and your Pokémon. You are welcomed there by Magnus, the Pokéathlon champion.